Ok after much inner debate I decided to just get a Brikka from Amazon and try a few faux capp and lattes with it. I figured if I don't like it I can always return it back to Amazon easily. If the Brikka does not staunch my starbucks craving then I will move up the ladder to a Gaggia evo.

Just curious does anyone have an idea of how badly the aluminum of a Brikka would effect ones health? I would prefer stainless steel but I can't find a stainless steel Brikka.

Posted Sun Jan 27, 2013, 6:29pm Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

Nothing wrong with a good Moka pot, can't really beat that for the money with a hand grinder. Not espresso, but its a damn good cup with fresh beans. Plus you can get various "cup" sizes where as your pretty much restricted to 1-2 oz of espresso for the most part.

Posted Mon Jan 28, 2013, 8:02am Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

If you want to go super cheap then look for your local Aldi grocery store - I found a neat Crofton machine (identical specs and build as the $149 Espressione Cafe Minuetto Professional) while on vacation and hurting for espresso for $33 that will work OK as a low budget starter machine. I also found that my Krups XP4000 brass portafilter is a perfect fit along with a Krups non-pressurized basket I pulled from a thrift store Mr. Coffee machine. I used a 2nd hand Zass Brass mill (mine was cheaper than a Skerton but is definitely built to last a lifetime) along with fresh beans (home roasted Ethiopian but any fresh beans will work) to make decent straight shots (15g is the basket max though), so making a decent enough drink to combine with milk is no problem.

The other suggestions are great but this is another cheap alternative for you to consider.

(Click for larger image)

I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?

Posted Mon Jan 28, 2013, 12:17pm Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

The key is getting good beans and a good grinder - cheap but passable brass grinders are not in fashion so they sell cheaper than pretty wooden box mills on eBay right now. These mills sell for less than $40 shipped quite often - remember this: a mill designed to grind for Turkish will easily grind for a coarser espresso setting. Good and fresh beans are as close as your nearest decent coffee shop or green bean supplier if home roasting is in your future. The pressurized hot water delivery system (the espresso machine) is last on the list when it comes to making decent espresso. Since milk drinks are something the OP wants, even a pressurized portafilter system will make a decent base for a latte or Cappuccino.

Let's not get too carried away with what it takes to make espresso - a crafty person can get by with less than what some will accept as possible.

Posted Mon Jan 28, 2013, 1:13pm Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

EricBNC Said:

The key is getting good beans and a good grinder - cheap but passable brass grinders are not in fashion so they sell cheaper than pretty wooden box mills on eBay right now. These mills sell for less than $40 shipped quite often - remember this: a mill designed to grind for Turkish will easily grind for a coarser espresso setting. Good and fresh beans are as close as your nearest decent coffee shop or green bean supplier if home roasting is in your future. The pressurized hot water delivery system (the espresso machine) is last on the list when it comes to making decent espresso. Since milk drinks are something the OP wants, even a pressurized portafilter system will make a decent base for a latte or Cappuccino.

Let's not get too carried away with what it takes to make espresso - a crafty person can get by with less than what some will accept as possible.

.....ummm don't know what to say to this. Then why is your equipment list so long, including things like pharos, K30, La Pavoni Strat, etc, etc.....I know you'll have a 'crafty' response. I don't say this to insult, but to stress that your comment may seem to the inexperienced that you make excellent espresso with cheap gear. But in fact you have very pricy gear to achieve this.....

EDIT: I apologize that this came off so kurt. Not my intention. Again, sorry. I guess I just expected you to indicate that great shots were not the norm with this set-up without some serious effort, and that better equipment makes this task much easier, especially for someone starting out.

I ordered a double-shot of espresso yesterday and returned it as undrinkable. I was going to grab a coffee at our local ski area coffee/pastry bar but saw they had a fancy Rancilio commercial 4-head machine and thought how lucky, I can get a decent espresso. The "barista" gave me this cross-eyed look and the equivalent of "whaddya' mean, it ain't no good? It gots foam on top, don't it?". I am sure I came across as a jerk when I told him that this was not the beverage the perfection of which mankind has been pursuing for the last 100+ years, but I don't enjoy paying $4 for a shot of bitter garbage. Snobby me.

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